Rachel Phillips
“After returning to the city post–law school, I was looking for a church where I felt comfortable. The first Sunday morning I came to Central, I distinctly remember seeing how many people had real conversations during the passing of the peace and even moved around the room to greet different people. This solidified for me that this was the place for me, and I’m now working on making Central my church home. Throughout my upbringing and into adulthood, I was always told to save money, contribute to my 401k, promptly pay any loans that I might accumulate — these were the financial staples the world taught me. But I now realize that these are only a part of the story. To me, giving to Central is as important and essential to my life as any of the above, and it should be treated as such. This might be a pragmatic approach, but the reality is that helping to build and sustain Central and Central's community is helping to contribute to the present and future of so many more people than just myself.”
In 2 Corinthians 8, as Paul speaks on generosity, he interestingly never uses the word "money"; instead, he speaks of "grace." He calls the Corinthians — and by extension, us — to excel in this act of grace. As 2025 comes to a close, consider how you might contribute to stories of grace at Central.
Gifts can be made at centralchurchnyc.org/give.